21 - "Kara's Escape and Ohara's Fate"
20 years ago.
"Hello, my friend. Today is the day we escape this place to search for my companions," said a young Kara to a large bird she had befriended some time ago after saving it from being devoured by forest beasts when it had injured a wing.
After it had healed, Kara had the idea to travel on its back to see if any other members of Fairy Tail had appeared in this world.
"KRAAAAW! KRAAAAW!" responded the large bird, named Pico, as it crouched down for Kara to climb on. Several bags of supplies were already strapped to its back.
"Let's head to West Blue. I've already checked East Blue," Kara said, jumping onto the bird. "Fly!" she shouted with a smile as Pico took off and quickly gained altitude.
"Hahaha, this is fun!" Kara yelled excitedly, grinning as she held onto Pico's feathers to avoid falling.
Thanks to the giant bird's speed, reaching Reverse Mountain was easy, where Kara and Pico sneaked onto a merchant ship that was about to enter the Grand Line.
After all, her plan was to reach the top of Reverse Mountain and jump from there to West Blue. Flying ten thousand meters would be difficult even for Pico, who was quite strong, so they took the easiest and most strategic route.
When the merchant ship reached the summit, some of the crew watched in astonishment as a girl jumped off the ship, followed by a large, hooded figure that was actually a massive bird. The creature caught the girl mid-air and flew toward another entrance of the mountain.
Once in West Blue, Kara began investigating the region's power structures by trading with some mafias that sold information.
That was how she roughly understood the dominant forces in the area and discovered that the mafias had significant control over almost all the islands in West Blue.
However, what interested her most was finding information about her companions, so she started traveling with Pico, essentially searching blindly. Her plan was simple: visit each island and look for someone with a Fairy Tail magic ability.
"Mmm, this is hard. We've searched ten islands, and there's nothing…" Kara murmured, leaning against Pico in exhaustion. It had been almost ten days since her escape.
"On top of that, the old man has surely been alerted that I ran away again, so he must be looking for me everywhere…" Kara sighed, thinking that Garp could show up at any moment. For some reason, he always managed to find her easily. "That old man is like a bloodhound…" she muttered in frustration.
"Well, looks like I found a little runaway," a voice suddenly said behind her.
Kara immediately turned and took a defensive stance.
"Shit! The old man's lapdog…" she muttered upon seeing the person who had spoken. None other than Vice Admiral Kuzan.
Without thinking, she tried to climb onto Pico and flee, but Kuzan easily grabbed her by the back of her clothes and lifted her, placing her in front of his face.
"Sorry, but your grandfather asked me to catch you if I saw you. He'll be coming for you," Kuzan said as Kara struggled to break free.
"Let me go, ice head!" Kara shouted, kicking furiously. After all, she had seen him several times when the old man visited, as Kuzan had been Garp's disciple at the time.
"I have an important mission, so I'm in a bit of a hurry," Kuzan said, effortlessly carrying Kara while Pico followed with his head lowered, worried about his friend.
When they arrived at the Marine ship docked at the harbor, Kuzan put Kara down just as his Den Den Mushi started ringing.
Click
"Kuzan, where are you? The Buster Call has been activated. Join the others immediately and head to Ohara," said the voice on the other end of the line.
"Ohara?" Kuzan asked, surprised. But since those were his orders, he obeyed immediately. "Set sail. And keep an eye on the brat," he ordered, pointing at Kara, who was already about to jump off the ship.
"Damn ice head, you'll pay for this!" Kara exclaimed, though after a while, she calmed down and ended up sitting at a tea table, eating the snacks the female marines offered her.
Seeing her quiet and relaxed, Kuzan decided to take the opportunity to call Garp. After all, he couldn't take Kara with him to witness a Buster Call.
"Hello, Garp-sensei. I found—"
Crash!
Before he could finish his sentence, he saw part of his ship break into cubes as Kara climbed onto Pico and escaped, flying away.
—Hahaha! See you, idiot! —Kara shouted confidently as she looked at Kuzan from the air.
The vice admiral sighed, holding the Den Den Mushi as he watched the girl escape.
—Well… looks like I lost his granddaughter again —Kuzan said calmly.
He could have caught her, but he had orders to follow, and besides, he had to repair the ship to reach Ohara on time. In any case, Garp was already on his way.
—So, she's a Devil Fruit user… —Kuzan murmured as he observed the wreckage of his ship, which had been easily destroyed by an eight-year-old girl.
Without wasting time, he used his ability to freeze the damaged part, forming a ship that was now half ice.
Meanwhile, Kara, who had escaped at full speed, recalled what was about to happen in Ohara. Her expression turned serious. She knew that although her magic was strong, her body wouldn't withstand facing the Marine's high-ranking officers. Even so, she had to try.
—Hurry, Pico. We don't have much time —she ordered, looking ahead with determination.
However, it seemed she had arrived late. There were too many CP0 agents, who had already captured the scholars and were awaiting the arrival of the Marines.
—Tsk. Land in the forest. Maybe we can at least save one little girl… —she said quickly, recalling Nico Robin.
Pico dived down, flying at a low altitude as Kara scanned the surroundings. That's when she saw her: Nico Robin, escorted by Jaguar D. Saul.
—You have to escape, Robin, before they realize you exist —Saul was saying, trying to convince her.
—I can't… Everyone… —Robin, with tears in her eyes, didn't want to abandon her loved ones.
Thanks to Kara destroying Aokiji's ship, he had been delayed, but the other Marine ships were already bombarding the island.
—Tsk. Don't worry, I'll take her —Kara said, appearing with Pico as they flew over Saul.
—Who are you? —Saul asked, standing on guard.
—I'm Garp's granddaughter. I'll take her somewhere safe. You make sure there's no trace that she ever lived here —Kara responded quickly.
Saul was surprised to hear she was Garp's granddaughter, but after a few seconds, his expression relaxed.
—I'll handle it. Please take care of Robin —he said before turning around and running toward the village.
—Saul! —Robin cried, but at that moment, Pico grabbed her with his talons and began flying away.
—Let me go! Saul and my friends are there! —Robin screamed, struggling.
However, as they rose into the sky, she saw her city being destroyed by the Marine cannons. Flames consumed the buildings, and the desperate screams of the people mixed with the roar of the fire.
—Doctor Clover… everyone… —she murmured, as tears fell uncontrollably.
Kara looked toward the sea and saw a Marine ship, half-frozen, approaching the island.
—Looks like Kuzan finally arrived… —she whispered.
She couldn't stay any longer.
—Faster, Pico! —she ordered, and the bird increased its speed.
After some time, they reached a nearby island where Pico landed, releasing Robin, who was still crying uncontrollably over her loss.
—I'm sorry… I didn't get here in time to help your friends —Kara said in a sad tone. She knew exactly how Robin was feeling.
She took a deep breath and then crouched in front of the girl, gently lifting her face so she could look her in the eyes.
—I don't have much time. Someone will come after me soon —she said quickly. —If the big guy managed to erase all traces of you, the Marines won't search for you, but you'll need to live in hiding for a while.
She took out a bag full of gold and handed it to Robin.
—This should last you for a couple of years. After that, you can do whatever you want, but don't let anyone find out you can read Poneglyphs.
Robin looked at the bag in her hands with confusion before asking:
—Why are you helping me?
Kara remained silent for a moment, then looked up at the sky.
—Because I also lost my comrades and family… And I pray every night that they're okay —she responded quickly.
Suddenly, she felt something.
—Listen… You can chase your dream, but don't get into trouble… or else, I'll come and smack you —she said with a slight smile before climbing onto Pico.
—See you, Robin.
With that, Pico quickly took off.
Robin stood there, watching as the strange girl disappeared into the distance.
That's when a loud shout echoed in the distance.
—I found you, you troublesome brat! Time to go home!
Kara felt a chill run down her spine.
—Shit…
She knew exactly who it was.
—----------------------------
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